CRYING AND COLIC
Crying is the only way your baby can “tell” you what he needs. Babies
cry for a lot of reasons—hunger, wet or soiled diapers, tiredness,
uncomfortable temperatures (hot or cold), illness, fear, or the need for
company. Some infants cry at certain times of the day or night. Feeding
and changing may help, but sometimes even that doesn’t work. If your
baby cries more often than normal and is inconsolable—or if you
notice signs of illness (such as a fever)—contact your baby’s doctor.
Is it colic?
If you’ve ruled out other causes of crying, your baby may have colic
(irritable infant syndrome).
Symptoms of colic include:
■ Crying or fussiness for more than 3 hours per day
■ Difficulty soothing your baby
■ Baby is happy much of the day, but becomes progressively fussier as the day goes on
■ Baby draws his knees up to his chest and passes gas, flails his arms, and frequently arches his back and struggles when held
■ Baby’s belly muscles may feel hard during crying Occasionally, colic is caused by sensitivity to food in the nursing mother’s diet. Cow’s milk products such as cheese, ice cream, and butter are common sensitivities. Other food items that may cause problems include stimulants (caffeine) and gas-producing foods. Your baby’s doctor or your lactation consultant may suggest eliminating these food products for a time to see if the symptoms of colic improve.
WAYS TO COPE WITH CRYING Sometimes babies cry for hours at a time and nothing seems to soothe them. Although there are no magical cures, some of the following techniques may help.
■ Check your baby’s basic needs. Feed and diaper her— make her comfortable in every way.
■ Decrease your baby’s stimulation. Work on creating a more quiet, calm, structured environment for your baby. Avoid sudden noises, keep the lights dimmed, and limit visitors.
■ Hold your baby so he feels secure. Try swaddling your baby in a soft, warm blanket.
■ Try anything that provides a slow, gentle motion. Motion is generally calming to both you and the baby. Try taking your baby for a ride in a stroller or in the car. Also try cuddling her in a rocking chair, or letting her sit in an infant swing.
■ Try singing, talking quietly to your baby, or playing the radio. Some babies are soothed by listening to lowtoned, rhythmic, monotonous sounds. Sometimes running a vacuum, a humidifier, or a tape of a heartbeat may help.
■ Try nursing longer on one breast to allow your baby to receive richer milk.
■ Call a relative or friend. They may offer advice or watch the baby for a while. Colic can be trying—and you need support.
If you’ve tried everything… Crying isn’t harmful to your baby, but it can frustrate even the most patient of parents. If you’ve tried everything, put your baby in a safe place, like a crib or playpen, and leave the room for a while. Check on your baby every 10-15 minutes. Remember, it’s okay for babies to cry—it’s normal and it won’t hurt them. If possible, have friends or family take over if you feel yourself losing it. No matter how stressed or frustrated you get, never shake a baby or young child.
PREVENTING SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME When people shake a baby, it’s usually because tension and frustration build up when a baby is crying or irritable. However, shaking a baby can cause Shaken Baby Syndrome, which is a serious—and sometimes fatal—form of child abuse. Babies have very weak neck muscles. If they’re shaken, their heads wobble back and forth, which may cause the brain to shift inside their skull. This shifting may cause brain damage and bleeding in and on the surface of the brain, resulting in blindness, brain damage, or death. Never shake a baby or child for any reason.
■ Always provide support for your baby’s head when holding, playing with, or transporting him.
■ Make sure that everyone who cares for your baby knows the dangers of shaking him. This includes babysitters, child/day care personnel, and siblings.
■ Learn what you can do if your baby won’t stop crying. Remember, all babies cry a lot during the first few months of their lives.
Symptoms of colic include:
■ Crying or fussiness for more than 3 hours per day
■ Difficulty soothing your baby
■ Baby is happy much of the day, but becomes progressively fussier as the day goes on
■ Baby draws his knees up to his chest and passes gas, flails his arms, and frequently arches his back and struggles when held
■ Baby’s belly muscles may feel hard during crying Occasionally, colic is caused by sensitivity to food in the nursing mother’s diet. Cow’s milk products such as cheese, ice cream, and butter are common sensitivities. Other food items that may cause problems include stimulants (caffeine) and gas-producing foods. Your baby’s doctor or your lactation consultant may suggest eliminating these food products for a time to see if the symptoms of colic improve.
WAYS TO COPE WITH CRYING Sometimes babies cry for hours at a time and nothing seems to soothe them. Although there are no magical cures, some of the following techniques may help.
■ Check your baby’s basic needs. Feed and diaper her— make her comfortable in every way.
■ Decrease your baby’s stimulation. Work on creating a more quiet, calm, structured environment for your baby. Avoid sudden noises, keep the lights dimmed, and limit visitors.
■ Hold your baby so he feels secure. Try swaddling your baby in a soft, warm blanket.
■ Try anything that provides a slow, gentle motion. Motion is generally calming to both you and the baby. Try taking your baby for a ride in a stroller or in the car. Also try cuddling her in a rocking chair, or letting her sit in an infant swing.
■ Try singing, talking quietly to your baby, or playing the radio. Some babies are soothed by listening to lowtoned, rhythmic, monotonous sounds. Sometimes running a vacuum, a humidifier, or a tape of a heartbeat may help.
■ Try nursing longer on one breast to allow your baby to receive richer milk.
■ Call a relative or friend. They may offer advice or watch the baby for a while. Colic can be trying—and you need support.
If you’ve tried everything… Crying isn’t harmful to your baby, but it can frustrate even the most patient of parents. If you’ve tried everything, put your baby in a safe place, like a crib or playpen, and leave the room for a while. Check on your baby every 10-15 minutes. Remember, it’s okay for babies to cry—it’s normal and it won’t hurt them. If possible, have friends or family take over if you feel yourself losing it. No matter how stressed or frustrated you get, never shake a baby or young child.
PREVENTING SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME When people shake a baby, it’s usually because tension and frustration build up when a baby is crying or irritable. However, shaking a baby can cause Shaken Baby Syndrome, which is a serious—and sometimes fatal—form of child abuse. Babies have very weak neck muscles. If they’re shaken, their heads wobble back and forth, which may cause the brain to shift inside their skull. This shifting may cause brain damage and bleeding in and on the surface of the brain, resulting in blindness, brain damage, or death. Never shake a baby or child for any reason.
■ Always provide support for your baby’s head when holding, playing with, or transporting him.
■ Make sure that everyone who cares for your baby knows the dangers of shaking him. This includes babysitters, child/day care personnel, and siblings.
■ Learn what you can do if your baby won’t stop crying. Remember, all babies cry a lot during the first few months of their lives.
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